Phylum: Mollusca

Class: Bivalvia

Order: Mytiloida

Family: Mytilidae

Scientific name: Mytilus edulis

 

Norwegian: blåskjell

(Børsabergan - The Trondheim fjord / 5 meters / 10.06.2001)

Distribution: The common mussel is highly edible and easily accessible in the intertidal zone. Actually, they are rarely found deeper than 10 meters. The common mussel supports a significant export industry in Norway. It takes three years for a mussel to grow big enough to be sold. You will find it attached by the byssus threads, to firm ground like rocks or ship hulls.

Characteristics: Due to the deep blue color it can only be confused with small horse mussels. The common mussel is smaller, normally it reaches a length of 10 cm, but individuals 15 cm in length are registered.

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